In vitro Antiproliferative Studies of Selected Medicinal Plants on Cancerous and Normal Cells

Globally, approximately 13% of all deaths annually are attributed to cancer. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the current treatment techniques for cancer; however, these methods are expensive, have high failure rates and have been associated with detrimental side effects. Plant derived products could be good candidates in alleviating challenges being experienced with these current methods. This study aimed at evaluating the phytochemistry, antiproliferation potential, and probable mechanism of action of Albizia gummifera, Rhamnus staddo and Senna didymobotrya plant extracts. The 3– (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay dye was used in the determination of the antiproliferative activity of the extracts. Extracts induction potential of p53 (apoptosis) and VEGF (angiogenesis) genes’ expression was evaluated using Real Time PCR. Phytochemical screening was done as per standard procedures. Several plant extracts exhibited antiproliferative activity against the cancerous cell lines tested showing selective toxicity to cancer cells while sparing the normal cells (SI ≥ 3). An upregulation of p53 and down-regulation VEGF genes was observed. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of pharmacologically important phytochemicals in the plant’s extracts. The study findings suggest exploitation of these plant extracts as potential candidates for development of drugs for the management of breast and prostate cancer.